The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-03-03

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MY grandfather was sea Captain
not mere claimant of the title, like
the watermen of the lakes and the
coast shippers who never get out of
sight of land, and who, if they got
there, could never get back-but a gem
uine ''old SALT trained from bovhood
under a tarpaulin hat, and as familiar
with the ''paths Of the sea" as shep-
herd is with those of a sheep-walk.
Spending his life. on extensive voyages,
he was seldom at home long enough at
time for the salt spray to dry on his
weather-beaten checks; and there was
hardly port on the habitable globe in
which he could not shake hands with
an old acquaintance, civilized or saw
age.
Of course his history was crowded
with curious incidents. Most of these,
with which my childish ear tingled and
my eyes dilated, have become so faded
in memory as to be incapable of toll
erable narration. The following, how
ever, made a more lasting impression:
During the calm between the old
French war and the American Revolu-
ton, a large ship was lying at wharf
in the town Of New York, loaded with
a valuable cargo and ready to sail for
Liverpool, and thence to whatever part
of the globe the chances of commerce
would dictate.
This was my grandfather's ship, only
waiting for her papers and fair wind.
The papers were soon ready, and short
ly after them came a breeze. Presently
everything on board was in active mo-
tion-the casting off and coiling of
ropes, the unfurling of canvas, and the
running up OF sailor boys along the rat
lines like spiders on their webs, while
the sharp, imperative orders of the mate
and the hearty ',ye-hoy-ye" of the
cheerful crew echoed over the ripping
waters of the harbor, which looked in
the rays Of the setting sun as if it was
covered with a cream of liquid gold.
Just before the last plank was hauled
in a stranger stepped hurriedly on
board and inquired for the Captains
stateroom. Being conducted thither
he entered, and, with a slight bow, ac-
costed the captain, who sat writing at
his desk.
You are for Liverpool, believe,
sirP"
Yes, SIR
i am in poor health, and intending
to spend the winter in Italy, wish to
get passage in the first ship that sails
for Europe, VIII you take passen-
ger?''
"Yes, sir, if my Accommodations will
suit you
mo matter about the Accommodations,
Captain. | am an old sailor, and know
how to accommodate myself. Besides,
the trim of your ship attracts my eye"
The allusion to his i'll health attract
ed my grandfather's scrutiny, and the
introduction Of himself as an old sailor
touched his heart. On noticing him
more particularly he was struck with
an undetinable feeling of curiosity and
sympathy at his appearance. Tall
straight, and rather slender, he was
dressed in fine black broadcloth, with
sort of Spanish cloak of the same color
and quality. A two-edged sword, com
mon on shipboard at that time, and i'm
properly called cutlass, was partly COW
cred by his cloak, and hung by his side
without a sheath. His hair was quite
gray, and his manly features would
have been handsome had they not been
So emaciated as to give unpleasant
prominence to half dozen deep sears
on his face. His eyes We're blue and
full Of expression, but restless at times,
showing a sudden abstraction The
Iooseness of one of his black gloves
gave evidence that ne had lost finger
or two from his left hand. These OBJ
Seryations were made by the Captain
while the stranger was looking at
beautiful sextant on the table. Turn
ing, as if startled at his forgelfulness,
he resumed:
Name the price, Captain, and l will
pay it now"
My grandfather had already fixed the
price in his mind, and replied;
You are a sailor, sir, and sick The
Accommodations of my ship, rs well as
my own services, are at your free COM
mand.
The language of sailors heart can
not ne misunderstood ana KNOWS no
interpreter. and the stranger knew that
remonstrance would be ungenerous on
his part. He made no reply, but eager
ly extended his hand, and my grand
father, as he shook it, thought he saw
a tear in the strangers eye. But no.
BILE hearts are impatient of exhibitions
of gratitude, and he quickly added:
Il am ready to sail, sir. Is your
baggage on board?"
This is all my baggage, SIR" he re-
piled, showing him a small black satch-
e. under his cloak.
Leading him TO a state-roOm the Cap
tain left him and went on deck and
found the ship already under way, the
sails filled with stiff breeze, the
wharves. warehouses and spectators
fast growing small in the distance. AT
length, rs darkness shut in the view.
the wind increased to gale, and from
a gale to a tempest, and for ten days
and nights the noble ship which had
plowed the seas of every latitude, from
Spitzbergen to New Zealand. under
went such a conflict with the elements
as she had never before encountered.
During all this time the stranger had
been confined below with an apparent
ly rapid consumption, which rough
weather had swiftly matured.